Page 93 of Echoes of War

Prescott released a hearty laugh, “Now who has to check themselves for understanding.”

It was true. Since I’d known Amaia, it had always been Jax for her. Sure, Jax had confided in me as a brother prior to his death. Things between the two of them were fizzling out romantically, but they loved each other. I’d reassured him that it was just the stress of their positions that had chipped away at their love life. The way those two looked at each other, I had wanted that. Longed for it. There was no way there was anyone out there better for my sister; it simply wasn’t possible. Jax had died less than a year ago, and I couldn’t see her moving on from him so quickly. Then again, Mohammed had died months after Jax, and here Yasmin and I were…

Prescott’s laugh boomed off the alleyway as he took in my now distraught demeanor, finding amusement in me questioning my entire existence. I swallowed a gag at the thought of my sister with someone I’d learned to call a friend. He was a cool person and all, but to love him? It was just too beyond belief for Amaia to find comfort in a man like that.

Years working alongside Amaia and Jax could not have prepared me for what being in charge was truly like. So many questions that I’d already answered several times. I hated repeating myself. Amaia and Jax had never had to instruct me on something more than once. You either have it or you don’t. But I get it, some people are slow learners.

It didn’t dawn on me until I had to step in precisely how screwed we’d be if we let everyone do their own thing without checking in. I was practically hand-holding at this point.

We were out a little over a mile from North Gate mapping out what was soon to be a minefield. Should have already been one if it were up to me and my men, but unfortunately for everyone, I’d had to deploy them with several troops just to make sure my exceedingly specific instructions were followed. So now here we were, for the third time in a week, showing them exactly where to place the damn mines and going over the pattern needed for success.

Most of the playbook had remained the same, with minor tweaks due to Seth now being on the loose. Without Amaia here, it had been up to Prescott and I to adjust. I trusted Prescott—dude knew his shit. Me, on the other hand, my specialty had been working with smaller groups, forming plans on a smaller scale. Running a spy network was completely different from setting up Salem Territory for war. Because that’s what it was—all of Salem looking to Monterey as they had timeand time again.

They knew Amaia was away at this point, had already received word from her that they needed to pick a side and choose wisely. The threat of her wrath hanging in the air if they chose wrong. Still, they turned to me, knowing for a long time I’d just been an extension of her. And damn if I let them down.

In the two months Amaia had retreated to her room, locked away and spiraling in her own depression, I’d become accustomed to leadership somewhat. Then I’d acted as the first pass between Seth and whatever information was supposed to cross over the lieutenant’s desk. But having your name on the dotted line, being solely responsible for it all, was stressful as hell.

Now, with each of the Arizona territories fallen and Elko and the rest of Nevada on the cusp of it, my stress had increased tenfold. Covert Province had moved quickly. I had my suspicions that they’d been moving their troops for months. There was no way they’d traveled with enough soldiers to take down several settlements and put others on high alert without raising alarm immediately.

“Eleanor, pay attention.” I snapped my fingers in her line of sight; she was bent down playing with Suckerpunch and Harley who were eating up the attention. “We’re lucky it’s been quiet for the last few weeks. That won’t last forever.”

Elie was here purely so she would leave me alone about not being ‘involved enough’ in the preparation process. She was almost seventeen now; she had no place in the middle of a war. I’d already sent a long-lost brother out as a teenager. The years had not been kind on my regret. There was always that question in the back of mind if he’d been ready for such a big responsibility, if I’d done the right thing. He had been so eager. His gifts were immense for his age, much like Elie.

Most of the younger population had a hard time mastering the art of their gifts, but not Abel. He was strong, capable. Elie was too, but Amaia would have Moe take my head if she knewI was doing more than letting Elie prepare to protect herself. Between her air magic and her Tinkerer abilities, it was better for her to learn how to use them to her benefit. Enable her to face this war with confidence in them. God forbid The Compound get breached.

“I know, I know. The bad guys are right around the corner,” Elie sighed, making a mocking prayer hand in the process.

“Elie, tone.” Prescott lectured, “It’s imperative you listen up; if you want to be a soldier, you need to act as one. Following directions is important.”

“I don’t see what the big deal is. All the attacks have been miles away. Amaia will be back soon. Our defenses are good enough.” Elie shrugged, groaning like we were bothering her.

“Good enough leaves us vulnerable,” he added in a fatherly tone. “You want to be better than good enough, being average doesn’t get you far.”

“Amaia’s return isn’t guaranteed. Nothing is. Even if she comes back, that doesn’t mean all our problems are solved.” I grumbled and my heart hurt speaking the words. If only there was some tangible way to know she was out there on her way back to me.

“You know, Elie, Rome was not built in a day but burned in one,” Prescott surmised.

Elie rolled her eyes, sighing, “No it didn’t.”

“So youhavebeen paying attention during our lessons.”

“It means that it can take a long time to build something great,” I muttered, “but only one fatal mistake to kiss it all goodbye.”

Most of my attention remained on the Tinkerers and the handful of soldiers tracing their steps in the field. They were painting crosses at my request so I wouldn’t have to come back out here the next time they questioned mine placement.

“Correct,” Prescott said, rubbing his hands along her arms and giving her a wiggle. “Now, eyes on Riley.”

Elie chuckled, her light brown curls moving in the wind and with Prescott’s shakes. “Okay, I’m listening. What kind of explosives are we talking about? I’ve read about a few. Seeing them in action is a whole different story.”

She leaned against me, prying the piece of technology from my hands to examine it herself. I let her take it from me, knowing a prototype would bring her no harm.

“Well, that’s not up to me,” I said. “That’s up to our explosives lead, who you weresupposedto be meeting with yesterday morning.”

“I overslept, man, my bad!” Elie rubbed her brow as if warding off a headache.

I grabbed her chin, turning making her read the words leaving my lips for the twentieth time. “Which wouldn’t have happened had you quit The Kitchens like we agreed on.”

“You’re such a dad. I’m fine. Besides, I prefer to keep busy. Rex just wasn’t there to wake me up.”

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